I bought the D80 a couple months ago and was having major noise issues. My Nikon D50 (a lesser model) took better quality photos. After exchanging the D80 several times and even sending it in for service, the issue still remained. I was so fortunate that the D90 was released this week....I have already exchanged the D80 for the D90. After using it for just one day, I am amazed at the quality. I took photos at ISO 3200, and they are nearly the same quality as the D50 at ISO 400. Nikon has finally solved their noise issues!!

Nikon's MSRP on the D90 body only is $999. This camera is not intended to sell for almost $1200 w/o lens, and anyone who pays this much is being taken.

I am far from a professional photographer, but I take it as seriously as possible while still referring to it as a hobby. I take mostly pictures of people at events and many of my baby son without flash in low light situations.

I had been using a Nikon D40x for 1 year and very early reached my limitation with that camera. The Nikon D40x has very nice image quality, but the camera's interface is not suited for a more serious shooter who wants quick single button or dial access to such shooting parameters such as white balance, shooting mode, metering mode, etc. I also felt very limited by the D40x not having an in-body focus motor that would allow me to use non AF-I/AF-S lenses (which are lenses without the focus motor built-in).

The Nikon D40x limitations were severe enough that I was about to consider purchasing a Canon 40D until the Nikon D90 appeared just in time.


PROS:

1. Fantastic set of separate buttons on the camera to control parameters like ISO, white balance, metering, autofocus, image quality, shooting mode, etc.
2. Two command dials
3. High resolution 920K pixel LCD screen (like the one on the Nikon D300)
4. 12.3 megapixel CMOS sensor, like the D300 but it has actually has improved high ISO performance as per independent testing from Ken Rockwell
5. Better high ISO capability (for low light shooting) than even the D300 (because of Nikon's tweaking the same sensor) I can shoot ISO 1600 with good image quality with this camera, while on my D40x I could only shoot with ISO 400 and obtain acceptable IQ
6. Separate top-viewing LCD screen in addition to the rear high res screen, to show shooting parameters constantly
7. In-body focus motor which allows the use of Nikon's non AF-I/S lenses, including wonderful and CHEAP prime lenses such as the Nikkor 50mm 1.8 (~$100 lens!)
8. Continuous shooting of 4.5 frames per second
9. Small size, although larger than the D40/D40x/D60, it is still substantially smaller in the hand than the D300/D3
10. 720p 24fps MPEG video shooting capability with incredible ability to use depth of field that I cannot achieve with my Sony High-Def camcorder.
11. Eleven auto-focus points (not as nice as the 51 points on the D300, but substantially better than my D40x with its 3 points)
12. GPS option
13. HDMI output
14. Enormous number of options to customize camera and shooting settings to fit your style of shooting
15. Fantastic image quality right out-of-box if you don't want to do any post processing


CONS:

1. "Rolling shutter" phenomenon while recording video: The D90 CMOS sensor has the same problem that other CMOS video recorders have when recording video. If you move the camera, especially horizontally, you get a "jelly" or "rubberbanding" effect where the image wobbles significantly. It is nice to have the video features, which looks very sharp at 720p, but it is NOT a substitute for a video camera. If you use a tripod, and do not do quick zooms/pans, the video quality is excellent. Without a tripod, however, you may get nauseas watching a wobbly video. The sound is also in monoaural.
2. 1/200 flash synch: Not a problem for me, but it might be for you.
3. No weather sealing: This is found on the Nikon D300/D3 and even on similarly priced models from other camera companies


TIPS:

1. Get the FREE Nikon ViewNX software from Nikon's site as your 1st step in your workflow. This will let you examine your RAW images that you can process for either Nikon CaptureNX2 to do further RAW processing or just export to JPG for a JPG editor such as PhotoShop.
2. Heavily recommend buying the Nikon CaptureNX2. It is a RAW converter (if you shoot in RAW) that will read the camera settings properly for export to JPG. Initially the D90 was not yet supported by NX2, but at the time of this writing, there is word that D90 support is almost out.



The Nikon D90 has all of the interface features that serious and even professional photographers need with wonderful image quality.

I received the D40 last year, and while I enjoyed it immensely I was ready to upgrade for more creative control. I ordered the D90 as soon as it was available, and I cannot say enough good things about it! The pictures are incredibly sharp, clear, and Nikon colorful. I have gone as high as ISO 2000 with no recognizable noise (unless zoomed in). Even at ISO 3200, it was comparable to my D40 at ISO >800. I loved my D40 and still think it is a great camera for someone who is just starting out, or for use as a 2nd lightweight camera, or who wants something a little nicer than a point and shoot but still really simple. However, once you are ready for more, this is the camera to buy. I have already used the video recorder several times, and while it isn't going to replace your video camera altogether it is wonderful to have. It is great for the quick video shots, such as at little league baseball -- I don't want to film an entire ball game, but it's nice to have video of my son when he is batting. (The sound of the crack of the bat just can't be captured on a still!) So I have been getting great stills at games as well as fun batting videos and end of game celebrations. Also, I have used it at school programs, at the moment when my son is reeling in a fish, at special moments at the zoo and park, etc. Some people may think it's just a gimmick for a serious shooter, and I probably won't use it when I am out seriously shooting. But it's great to have for the user who also has a family and wants to use it to capture memories in their everyday lives. And that's why I think it's brilliant. I can't think of any other purchase that I have made in recent years that has as much versatility and opportunity for use as this camera. Plus, as previously mentioned, I am absolutely thrilled with the photographs that it is producing, and that's what really matters at the end of the day. If you're thinking about getting it, just do it! You won't be disappointed!

To be honest, the D90 is a bit expensive compared its competition, and had I started from scratch I might have opted for the Canon 450D or perhaps the 40D, both of which have slightly better image quality (the 450D being much cheaper). But as I determined 18 years ago when I purchased my fist 35mm SLR after high-school, I found that Nikons just seem engineered for those who desire function over form. In this regard you could compare Nikon and Canon to the PC and Mac. Canon's seem a bit too plastic and lightweight, with default image settings built to "wow" the customer right out of the box. That's great, but I sense Nikon has a bit more respect for their customers who want to do more than simply point-n-shoot, especially with a D-SLR.

In addition to fit/finish/features, there's an important technical issue I considered. The crop factor is 1.6 on all amateur Canons DSLRs whereas it's 1.5 on all DX Nikons. So, my favorite wide angle-zoom lens (the 16-85 DX for my D90) equates to 24-127mm. Very wide with decent telephoto. Canon's closest lens in the price range is the 17-40mm zoom (which has great glass), but I'd have to settle for an equivalent focal range of 27-64mm. Those missing 3mm on the wide end are VERY noticeable, let alone the missing 63mm on the long end. For me, there are no good daily-use Canon zooms that can showcase the artistic aspects of wide angle photography. The D90 was a no-brainer (not mention I already had two good lenses and a flash unit).

The fully loaded 12.3-megapixel Nikon D90 is all about speed and quality of photographs. Weighing in at 1lb and 10oz the body has a great feel and is comfortable to hold. As with the D80 and D300, controls are perfectly aligned for easy access. It is the first digital SLR to support movie Capture.

With 4.5 frames per second of continuous shooting at your fingertip, Nikon improved the shutter durability and integrated the same dust-prevention system as that of the D300. While it uses the same LCD as the D300, it's covered by a polymer rather than glass. If only they had gone the distance with this marvel and added weather sealing.

Hopefully no one is seriously purchasing the D90 for its movie features. This is where Nikon could have but didn't. At 24 frames per second 1280x720 pixel motion JPEG, it is a given that Nikon faced some technical limitations that impair the true Capture experience. Video and HMDI is oh well at best. If shooting video is a must I strongly suggest breaking out the tripod.

Even though it sports a 12-megapixel DX-format sensor, it's not the same sensor as in the D300. Pixels are the same size and it uses only 12-bit processing rather than 14-bit like the D300. High ISO quality is due in part to the same on chip noise reduction as the D300. The D90 performs well up to and including ISO 400. However, photographs are quite usable up to and including ISO 3200. As usual with all Nikon digital cameras, the D90 tends to underexpose. The dynamic range of bright shots fare better than dark, but compensation is easy. Colors are accurate and perfectly saturated.

Overall I am very satisfied with the quality and performance of the Nikon D90. It is without a doubt a cost effective and welcome back up to my D300. I would highly recommend this camera.

I think most of us buying D90 would be someone like me. Goto review website for technical review and skip the rest. Read mine if you use it like I do. Here you go. Enjoy!

I have a D50 and just bot a D90. I shoot primary my daughters' school events usually indoor in a gym or threater. I have some of Nikon better F2.8 glasses. With indoor lighting and action such as TKD. The results are sometimes less than satisfactory. When using flash, the subject is well lit but the background would be dim. (you could solve this placing multiple flashes in the GYM like the professionals) when not using flash, you get hand shakes and motion blur. I shot my daughter's TKD blackbelt test yesterday, the D90 blew me away. Here is what it does, on Sport mode with Flash, it selected ISO 1100, F4 and 1/60. subject is well lit, the back kick is frozen to show the form, the foreground and background of the GYM were well lit. The white balance is perfect. I could not have done a matter job myself in manual mode! At the same sport mode, D50 chose ISO 500, F5.6 and 1/60. The subject is well lit, the gym background faded into darkness. When not using flash, D50 just can't get the white balance correct no matter how i set it. D90 white balance was perfect.

The D90 giant colorful LCD really tells instantlly if I have got the shot. I would buy D90 again just for catching the highlights of my daughter's belt test.

D90 is actually the same size of D50. D50 felt more comfortable in my hands initially, but after 3 hrs, the D90 felt just better. It could be a weight issue. I don't know why.

So bye bye to my wonderful D50. Hello to D90.

This is a brilliant camera. I am only an amateur, but in my opinion, this is the best value DSLR out there. I chose it over the D300, Canon EOS40D and Olympus E3 (I played with all of them before deciding). Very easy to get great images. It's low light performance is worth it's weight in gold too. No more nasty brightly lit, squinty faces! Sure it takes videos, which is a fun diversion, but it's the image quality that is expecially outstanding. Lots of choices for lenses too, but one I'd definitely recommend is the Nikon 50mm f/1.8D AF Nikkor Lens($110 BARGAIN of the century).

I too have a Nikon D40, and wouldn't trade it for it anything, but is keepig me from being the more creative person I am, as I can be a really CREATIVE PERSON if I have something that will help me do such. At one time I had wanted the Nikon N90s that was along the same price range, but found myself without the money, NOT THIS TIME, YES-SIR-EEE. I'M NOT ABOUT TO LET THIS ONE SLIP BY ME
I am currently waiting on the D90 from One Call, and should have it on 11-4-08, I'LL UPDATE THEN, MY LIKES AND DISLIKES ABOUT THE CAMERA

Look, this is an outstanding camera. It really is. I think others have probably already expounded on its greatness better than I can so I will keep this review (reasonably) short.

Here are the three things that jump out at me, and I will be comparing this camera to the Canon 5D (full frame) which I used previously to this.

Sharpness: Good god this camera is sharp. To me it is noticeably better than the 5D in terms of definition, detail and sharpness. I have gone back and pulled out similar pictures taken with the 5D (5D with L series lenses) and they are not as sharp. I am a sharpness whore and a pixel peeper so trust me on this. It's amazingly sharp.

Auto Exposure: very good; but not blow me away great. It will take some getting used to and I think perhaps I will have to fine tune it more than I thought I would have to. I'm really just nitpicking here; it's not a big deal and it's not bad; again just not blow me away great right out of the box.

Low-light performance: I'm sorry, but the 3-year old 5D has it beat big time here. I know it's unfair in a certain sense since the 5D is full frame, but as I said I think this camera has it beat in sharpness which is not supposed to happen when comparing a cropped sensor to a full frame. The fact that it wins sharpness is huge. Unfortunately, the low-light performance is nothing to write home about here. It is certainly better than the D200/D80/D70/D60/D50 (all previous Nikons I have used) but noticeably worse than the 5D. I'm not sure if Nikon was marketing this camera as a good low-light performer like the D3 and the D700 (I don't pay much attention to the marketing stuff) so this might not be a detraction but I just thought I would mention it since people care about low-light performance more and more these days. Of course also I am speaking from the standpoint of someone who has to market/sell most of my pictures. I rarely take pictures for fun unfortunately. I am quite sure that for anyone not using the low-light feature for professional work intending to be sold, it will be more than fine. Frankly it will even be fine for some professional work at ISO 400-800 but nowhere near the level of competence of the D700/D3.

Bottom line, in most situations this camera is superior to the 5D which really is saying a lot since the price is half and the sensor is cropped. At the end of the day, however, if low-light performance is key to you then I would recommend the Nikon FF D700/D3 or the Canon full frame offerings such as the 5D.

I haven't used the video feature yet (and probably won't for a while since I bought this to take pictures) so I don't have anything to report there.

Ergonomics are great and battery life is awesome.

Overall after shooting a few thousand pictures with it my rating would be 92/100. Again please take any of my seemingly negative opinions as what they are--my attempt to be thorough because I know some people want to know the finer points of some of these issues. I do not have a negative opinion of this awesome camera by any means.

Just wow. This is my second Nikon DSLR and a big step up from my fine D-70s. The D-90 is about the same size and weight which is important if you're holding this camera throughout a busy day. The focus is fast and accurate in most cases. The d-lighting is a nice feature for compressing highly dynamic lighting. Shooting 4.5 frames per second is wonderful. The rear screen is sharp and bright. The ability to shoot 720P video is nice but is limited by a lack of automatic focus. The resulting video is very sharp as the DSLR's lens are bigger than anything short of a professional video camera. Nice for an occasional video but not a full replacement.

I upgraded from the D80, which was an upgrade from the D50. Not surprisingly, the D90 is miles ahead of both cameras. The image quality is superb. For some reason I never fell in love with my D80. It seemed to struggle with proper exposure. Strangely, my D50 didn't have that problem. But the D90 appears to get the exposure correct, most of the time. I really like the ability to adjust color saturation in-camera. The auto focus is excellent and the very fast frame rate in burst mode is great for sports shooting. The LCD screen is one of the main improvements. It is very large and bright. I'm not going to review the video mode - I didn't buy the camera for that reason. I liked the D50, tolerated the D80, but love the D90. Isn't technology progress great?